Sensitivities of peripheral lymphocytes from healthy humans to induction of sister chromatid exchanges by chemicals

The spontaneous sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) and SCEs induced by 50 microM methyl methanesulfonate, 1 microM 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide, and 5 microM 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole were examined in phytohemagglutinin-activated peripheral lymphocytes from 53 healthy adult donors. The means of the mean spontaneous SCEs and SCEs induced by methyl methanesulfonate, 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide, and 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole in cells of these donors had coefficients of variability of 12, 14, 24, and 28%, respectively. Thus, it was possible to estimate the SCE-inducing activities of chemicals in peripheral lymphocytes from a population of healthy humans under the defined experimental conditions. These facts provide one of the useful parameters for evaluating the genotoxicities of chemicals to human beings, a genetically heterogeneous species. Cells from two of the donors were considerably more sensitive to particular chemicals than were those from other donors, consistently giving higher numbers of induced SCEs in two repeat examinations.     

Role of human N-acetyltransferases, NAT1 or NAT2, in genotoxicity of nitroarenes and aromatic amines in Salmonella typhimurium NM6001 and NM6002.

Human NAT1 and NAT2 genes were subcloned into pACYC184 vector and the plasmids thus obtained were introduced into Salmonella typhimurium O-acetyltransferase-deficient strain NM6000 (TA1538/1, 8-DNP/pSK1002), establishing new strains NM6001 and NM6002, respectively. We compared the sensitivities of these two strains with those of NM6000 towards carcinogenic nitroarenes and aromatic amines in the SOS/umu response. The induction of umuC gene expression by these chemicals in the presence and absence of the S9 fraction was assayed by measuring the cellular beta-galactosidase activity expressed by the umuC"lacZ fusion gene in the tester strains. 2-Nitrofluorene and 2-aminofluorene induced umuC gene expression more strongly in the NM6001 strain than in the NM6002 strain. In contrast, induction of umuC gene expression by 1, 8-dinitropyrene, 6-aminochrysene and 2-amino-3,5-dimethylimidazo[4, 5-f]quinoline was weaker in the NM6001 strain than in the NM6002 strain. 1-Nitropyrene, 2-amino-6-methyl-dipyrido[1,2-a:3', 2'-d]imidazole, 3-amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole, 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole, 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine and 2-amino-3-methyl-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole were found to induce umuC gene expression at similar extents in both strains. These results suggest that the newly developed strains can be employed for the studies on mechanisms of genotoxicity of a variety of nitroarenes and aromatic amines, along with the assessment of cancer risk to humans.     

Foci of aberrant crypts in the colons of mice and rats exposed to carcinogens associated with foods

Aberrant crypt foci can be identified in the colons of rodents treated 3 wk earlier with azoxymethane, a known colon carcinogen. These crypts can easily be visualized in the unsectioned methylene blue-stained colons under light microscopy, where they are distinguished by their increased size, more prominent epithelial cells, and pericryptal space. They occur as single aberrant crypts or as two, three, or four aberrant crypts in a cluster. We compared the reported ability of carcinogens associated with the human diet to induce colon cancer with the measured rate of induction of aberrant crypts in female CF1 mice and Sprague-Dawley rats. The carcinogens used were 1,2-dimethylhydrazine, methyl nitrosourea, N-nitrosodimethylamine, benzo(a)pyrene, aflatoxin B1, 2-amino-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-alpha:3',2'-d]imidazole, 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-P]quinoline, 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-P]quinoline, and 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole. Graded doses of these compounds were given to the animals by gavage twice with a 4-day interval, and the animals were terminated 3 wk later. All colon carcinogens induced aberrant crypts in a dose-related fashion. N-Nitrosodimethylamine and 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole, carcinogenic compounds that do not induce colon cancer, did not induce them. The ability of the studied compounds to induce aberrant crypts was species specific; e.g., aflatoxin B1 and 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-P]quinoline induce about 20 times more in rats than mice. This relationship was consistent with their reported ability to induce colon cancer in these species. Results of the present study support the use of the aberrant crypt assays to screen colon-specific carcinogens and to study the process of colon carcinogenesis.     

Synergistic enhancement of glutathione S-transferase placental form-positive hepatic foci development in diethylnitrosamine-treated rats by combined administration of five heterocyclic amines at low doses.

Potential synergism among 5 heterocyclic amines at low doses in the induction of glutathione S-transferase placental form (GST-P)-positive liver cell foci was examined in an 8-week experiment using male rats initially given diethylnitrosamine (200 mg/kg, ip). The heterocyclic amines applied were 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (500 ppm), 2-amino-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-a:3',2'-d]-imidazole (500 ppm), 2-amino-3-methyl-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole (800 ppm), 2-amino-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole (800 ppm), and 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP, 400 ppm). Separate groups received each chemical at the dose used in earlier carcinogenicity assays (above doses), at 1/5 or 1/25 of these, or all 5 chemicals together, each at the 1/5 or 1/25 levels. The numbers and areas of GST-P-positive foci were significantly increased with all chemicals, except for PhIP, at the highest dose, the results being consistent with the reported liver carcinogenicity. In the combined treatment at the 1/5 dose levels, synergistic enhancement occurred; the numbers and areas of foci were significantly increased above the sums of individual data. However, this was not the case for the 1/25 dose groups. Although the synergism between pyrolysis products in liver carcinogenesis depended on the dose and combination of chemicals, the findings, together with those from a previous experiment using 5 different heterocyclic amines, are of particular significance since several heterocyclic amines might be simultaneously generated during cooking of foodstuffs.     

Carcinogenicity of heterocyclic amines for the pancreatic duct epithelium in hamsters.

Effects of eight heterocyclic amines (HCAs) on pancreatic duct carcinogenesis were investigated in a rapid production model in hamsters. N-Nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine (BOP) was given to effect initiation, followed by augmentation pressure consisting of four daily i.p. injections of 500 mg/kg DL-ethionine, a choline-deficient (CD) diet, a single i.p. injection of 800 mg/kg L-methionine and a s.c. injection of 20 mg/kg BOP. After two cycles of augmentation pressure, the HCAs 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP), 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx), 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ), 3-amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-1), 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2), 2-amino-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole (AalphaC), 2-amino-3-methyl-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole (MeAalphaC) or 2-amino-3,4,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline [4,8-DiMeIQx) were administered in the diet for 50 or 70 days. The numbers of pancreatic ductal hyperplasias (H) and a total lesions including, atypical hyperplasia (AH), carcinomas in situ (CIS) and invasive carcinomas, were increased in hamsters given the diet containing 0.02% Trp-P-1 for 50 days. This result was confirmed and extended by the finding of increased numbers of invasive carcinomas in hamsters given 0.02% Trp-P-1 for 70 days. The number and incidence of invasive carcinomas were also elevated in hamsters given the diet containing 0.06% 4,8-DiMeIQx for 50 days. These results suggest a possible involvement of Trp-P-1 and 4,8-DiMeIQx in pancreatic duct carcinogenesis.     

Presence of carcinogenic heterocyclic amines in urine of healthy volunteers eating normal diet, but not of inpatients receiving parenteral alimentation

For estimation of human exposures to carcinogenic heterocyclic amines, the amounts of four compounds, 3-amino-1, 4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-1), 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2), 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) and 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx), in human urine were measured. Twenty-four hour urine specimens were collected from ten healthy volunteers eating normal diet (five males and five females) and three inpatients (two males and a female) receiving parenteral alimentation, and the levels of the four heterocyclic amines were measured by HPLC after partial purification by treatment with blue cotton and ion exchange column chromatography. Trp-P-1, Trp-P-2, PhIP and MeIQx were detected in the 24 h urine samples of all healthy volunteers at levels of 0.04-1.43 ng, 0.03-0.68 ng, 0.12-1.97 ng and 11-47 ng respectively. As 1.8-4.9% of an oral dose of MeIQx is reported to be excreted unchanged in the urine, the daily exposure of humans to MeIQx was estimated to be 0.2-2.6 micrograms/person. The four heterocyclic amines were not detected in the urine of parenterally fed inpatients. These results indicate that humans are continually exposed to carcinogenic heterocyclic amines in food, and these compounds may not be formed endogenously.     

Carcinogenic effect of the simultaneous administration of five heterocyclic amines to F344 rats

F344 rats were given five mutagenic and carcinogenic heterocyclic amines, i.e., 3-amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-1), 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2), 2-aminodipyrido[1,2-a:3',2'-d]imidazole (Glu-P-2), 2-amino-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole (AaC), and 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ), mixed together in the diet each at one-fifth of the concentration used in the previous single-compound carcinogenesis experiment. Liver, colon and Zymbal gland tumors in both sexes, skin tumors in males and clitoral gland tumors in females were induced at significantly higher incidences than in control groups. Among them, the incidences of liver tumors in both sexes, skin tumors in males and clitoral gland tumors in females were significantly higher than those expected from the simple assumptions that the incidence of tumors induced by each compound would be one-fifth of that in the corresponding previous experiment and that the combined effect of the five chemicals would be additive.     

Syntheses of hydroxyamino, nitroso and nitro derivatives of Trp-P-2 and Glu-P-1, amino acid pyrolysate mutagens, and their direct mutagenicities towards Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA98NR

Hydroxyamino, nitroso and nitro derivatives of 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole(Trp-P-2) and 2-amino-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-a:3',2'-d]imidazole(Glu-P-1), mutagens-carcinogens produced on pyrolysis of aminoacids, were synthesized from Trp-P-2 and Glu-P-1. 3-Hydroxyamino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole(N-OH-Trp-P-2) and 2-hydroxyamino-6-methyldipyrido[l,2-a:3',2'-d]imidazole (N-OH-Glu-P-1) were obtained with good yieldsby controlled catalytic reduction of 3-nitro-l-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indoleand 2-nitro-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-a:3',2'-d]imidazole. Subsequentoxidation of N-OH-Trp-P-2 and N-OH-Glu-P-1 with -manganese dioxideyielded 3-nitroso-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole and 2-nitroso-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-a:3',2'-d]imidazole.All six synthesized compounds were mutagenic to Salmonella typhimuriumTA98 without mammalian activation systems. The mutagenic activitiesof hydroxyamino and nitroso derivatives were identical for bothS. typhimurium TA98 and TA98NR, the nitroreductase deficientstrain. However, nitro derivatives were essentially mutageniconly towards S. typhimurium TA98.     

Generation of intracellular active oxygens in mouse FM3A cells by 3-hydroxyamino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole, the activated Trp-P-2

Mouse FM3A cells in culture were treated with a reactive metabolite of 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2), 3-hydroxyamino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2-(NHOH]. When the treated cells, which were judged as viable on the basis of trypan-blue exclusion, were subjected to nitroblue tetrazolium staining, formazan was formed inside the cells, a fact suggesting the intracellular presence of superoxide. No formazan formation was detected on treatment of the cells with Trp-P-2. Single-strand breaks in the cellular DNA took place during this treatment with Trp-P-2(NHOH). Since Trp-P-2(NHOH) in solution generates superoxide anion accompanying its oxidative degradation, we conclude that the Trp-P-2(NHOH) treatment produces intracellular active oxygens that can damage DNA.     

Carcinogenicity in mice of mutagenic compounds from glutamic acid and soybean globulin pyrolysates

2-Amino-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-a:3',2' -d]imidazole and 2-aminodipyrido[1,2-a:3',2'-d]imidazole,potent mutagens from glutamic acid pyrolysate, were given orallyto CDF₁ mice of both sexes at concentrations of 0.05% in pelletdiet. 2-Amino-3-methyl-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole and 2-amino-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole,potent mutagens from soybean globulin pyrolysate, were givento CDF₁ mice of both sexes at concentrations of 0.08%. Hepatocellularcarcinomas and hemangio-endothelial sarcomas in the brown adiposetissue were induced in high incidence by all these compounds.     

Heterocyclic aromatic amines induce DNA strand breaks and cell transformation

Heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs), formed during the cooking of foods, are known to induce tumours in rodent bioassays and may thus contribute to human cancer risk. We tested six HAAs in a morphological transformation assay and in three in vitro genotoxicity assays. The morphological transforming abilities of HAAs were tested, in the presence of rat-liver S9, in the C3H/M2 fibroblast cell line. Concentration levels of 50 microM 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (8-MeIQx), 100 microM 2-amino-3,4,8-trimethylimidazo-[4,5-f]quinoxaline (4,8-DiMeIQx), 50 microM 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ), 100 microM 2-amino-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole (AalphaC), 100 microM 2-amino-3-methyl-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole (MeAalphaC) and 15 microM 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) induced maximum transformation potencies of 5.5, 6.6, 6.3, 5.2, 7.3 and 9.2 transformed foci per 10(4) surviving cells, respectively. Bacterial mutagenic activity was determined in the presence of rat-liver S9 using the Salmonella typhimurium reverse-mutation assay employing strain YG1019. Mutagenic potencies of 3800 revertants (revs)/ng with 8-MeIQx, 2900 revs/ng with 4,8-DiMeIQx, 3480 revs/ng with IQ, 1.6 revs/ng with AalphaC, 2.9 revs/ng with MeAalphaC and 5 revs/ng with PhIP were observed. Clastogenic activity in vitro was analysed by the micronucleus assay in metabolically competent MCL-5 cells. Dose-dependent induction of micronuclei was observed for all HAAs tested with 1-5.4% of cells containing micronuclei at 10 ng/ml. Micronucleus induction was in the order 4,8-DiMeIQx > 8-MeIQx > IQ > MeAalphaC > PhIP > AalphaC. DNA strand-breaking activity in MCL-5 cells was measured by the alkaline single cell-gel (comet) assay. The lowest effect doses for significant increases (P < or = 0.0007, Mann-Whitney test) in comet tail length (microm) were 45.5 microg/ml (200 microM) for PhIP, 90.9 microg/ml (410-510 microM) for 4,8-DiMeIQx, IQ, MeAalphaC and AalphaC, and 454.5 microg/ml (2130 microM) for 8-MeIQx. It is not yet clear which of these assays most accurately reflects the genotoxic potential to humans of compounds of this class of environmental carcinogens.     

The food mutagen 2-amino-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole (AalphaC) but not its methylated form (MeAalphaC) increases intestinal tumorigenesis in neonatally exposed multiple intestinal neoplasia mice

The heterocyclic amines 2-amino-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole (AalphaC) and 2-amino-3-methyl-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole (MeAalphaC) are carcinogenic in several organs in rodents, but not in the intestinal tract. However, AalphaC induces DNA adducts, mutations and preneoplastic aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in rodent colons. The purpose of this study was to examine whether AalphaC and MeAalphaC could affect intestinal tumorigenesis in C57BL/6J-Min/+ (multiple intestinal neoplasia) mice. These mice are heterozygous for a germline nonsense mutation in codon 850 of the tumor suppressor gene adenomatous polyposis coli (Apc), producing a truncated non-functional Apc protein. They develop multiple intestinal adenomas, and are particularly susceptible to intestinal carcinogens that affect the Apc gene, especially when exposed neonatally. Whole litters consisting of Min/+ and +/+ (wild-type) mice of both sexes were given a single s.c. injection of 0.22 mmol/kg AalphaC (40.3 mg/kg) or MeAalphaC (43.4 mg/kg) or the vehicle 1:1 dimethylsulfoxide:0.9% NaCl on days 3-6 after birth, and were terminated at 11 weeks. AalphaC increased the number and diameter of small intestinal tumors, but not the number of colonic tumors or dysplastic ACF, in female and male Min/+ mice separately. In pooled data from females and males, colonic tumors and ACF found after AalphaC exposure appeared to be smaller than the spontaneous lesions, indicating later induction, slower growth or both. In contrast to AalphaC, MeAalphaC did not affect intestinal tumorigenesis in Min/+ mice. No effects were found by any of the amino-alpha-carbolines in the +/+ mice. AalphaC was less potent than the heterocyclic amine 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine.     

Catalysis of the covalent binding of 3-hydroxyamino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole to DNA by a L-proline- and adenosine triphosphate-dependent enzyme in rat hepatic cytosol

An enzymatic mechanism involved in the activation of 3-hydroxyamino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (N-hydroxy-Trp-P-2), a mutagenic intermediate of a tryptophan pyrolysate, was studied in vitro. In hepatic cytosol supplemented with adenosine triphosphate and L-proline, N-hydroxy-Trp-P-2 was converted to a form which reacts readily with DNA. The enzyme responsible for the activation was partially purified and identified as prolyl transfer RNA synthetase as judged by their cofactor requirements, inhibition by pyrophosphate or adenosine monophosphate, and copurification of their activities. The prolyl transfer RNA-dependent covalent binding of N-hydroxy-Trp-P-2 to DNA of hepatic cytosol was highest in rats, followed by mice, hamsters, rabbits, and guinea pigs in that order. The capacity for the binding of N-hydroxy-Trp-P-2 was largely consistent with their prolyl transfer RNA synthetase activity. With regard to the ultimate form of N-hydroxy-Trp-P-2 for the covalent binding, a possible formation of N,O-prolyl-3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole was proposed.     

Arachidonic acid-dependent peroxidative activation of carcinogenic arylamines by extrahepatic human tissue microsomes

Prostaglandin H synthase (PHS), an arachidonic acid-dependent peroxidase, has been implicated in the peroxidative activation of carcinogenic aromatic amines in extrahepatic carcinogen target tissues of experimental animals. We have examined the arachidonic acid-dependent activation of [3H]benzidine to DNA-bound products by microsomal preparations from 75 normal human tissues obtained during necessary surgical procedures. For several samples of urinary bladder epithelium, prostatic epithelium, colonic mucosa, and peripheral lung tissue, an arachidonic acid-dependent, microsomal-catalyzed activation of benzidine was observed; and the activity could be inhibited appreciably by indomethacin, a known inhibitor of PHS. Little or no arachidonic acid-dependent activity was detected in human placenta, breast, or liver microsomes or the majority of colon microsomes. Substrate specificity was also examined with purified ram PHS and with human bladder and with active colon preparations. Purified PHS catalyzed the activation of benzidine much greater than 2-naphthylamine, 2-amino-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-alpha:3',2'-d]imidazole greater than 4-aminobiphenyl greater than 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline greater than 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b] indole. In comparison, human bladder and colon microsomes catalyzed the activation of benzidine greater than 4-aminobiphenyl, 2-amino-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-alpha:3',2'-d]imidazole, 2-naphthylamine greater than 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline, 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole. To confirm the occurrence of PHS antigen in human extrahepatic tissues, an avidin/biotin-amplified competitive enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay was developed with purified ram PHS and a commercially available monoclonal antibody known to cross-react with human platelet PHS. The avidin/biotin-amplified enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, which detected ng quantities of ram PHS, clearly established the presence of the PHS protein in human bladder, prostate, and lung microsomes. In contrast, PHS antigen was not detected in the liver or placental microsomes. The interindividual and tissue-dependent variability of PHS and its role in aromatic amine carcinogenesis are discussed.     

Activation and detoxication of N-hydroxy-Trp-P-2 by glutathione and glutathione transferases

The roles of non-enzymatic and enzymatic glutathione (GSH) conjugationin the activation and detoxication of 3-hydroxy-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole(N-OH-Trp-P-2) were studied in vitro. N-OH-Trp-P-2 is an activemetaboite of 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-d]indole (Trp-P-2),a mutagenic and carcinogenic heterocyclic amine. 3-Nitroso-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole(NO-Trp-P-2) reacted rapidly and non-enzymatically with GSHto form N-OH-Trp-P-2 and a small amount of two GSH conjugates(CN-1 and CN-2). On the other hand, non-enzymatic reaction ofGSH with N-OH-Trp-P-2 was very slow, but the GSH conjugationwith N-OH-Trp-P-2 was catalyzed by rat liver GSH transferaseand a rat liver cytosol fraction to form three conjugates (CH-1,CH-2 and CH-3). The enzymatic conjugation was effectively inhibitedby organic tin compounds which are known as powerful GSH transferaseinhibitors. The conjugates were unstable enough to yield Trp-P-2(from CN-1, CN-2 and CH-2) or N-OH-Trp-P-2 (from CH-3) on incubationat 37°C for 30–60 min. Only CH-1 was stable undersimilar conditions. The mutagenicities of the GSH conjugatesand the effects of GSH and GSH transferase were studied by usingSalmonella typhimurium TA98 as the tester strain. The GSH conjugatesexcept for CH-3 were completely detoxicated products, but CH-3was found to be a more potent mutagen than N-OH-Trp-P-2. Themutagenicity of CH-3 seemed to be due to the direct action ofthe conjugate, and not to N-OH-Trp-P-2 formed from it.     

Genotoxicity of heterocyclic amines in the Salmonella/hepatocyte system

The Salmonella/hepatocyte system was employed to determine the mutagenicity in bacteria as well as the DNA damage induced in mouse hepatocytes following exposure to heterocyclic amines. With hepatocytes from C57BL/6N mice, 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2) and 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) showed a clear mutagenic effect in the Salmonella, while weak mutagenic effects were observed with 3-amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-1), 2-amino-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-a:3',2'-b]imidazole (Glu-P-1), and 2-aminodipyrido[1,2-a:3',2'-d]imidazole (Glu-P-2). All the compounds induced low levels of DNA damage in the hepatocytes. In vivo pretreatment of mice with the potent monooxygenase inducer 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD; 50 micrograms/kg) clearly increased both the mutagenicity in the bacteria and the DNA damage induced in the hepatocytes in vitro. Glu-P-2 showed the lowest mutagenic effect but induced more DNA damage at low concentrations than the other compounds when TCDD-pretreated hepatocytes were used. These data indicate that the genotoxic potency of Glu-P-2 in the intact hepatocyte differs from that observed in the bacteria. Treatment of hepatocytes with a-naphthoflavone, a selective inhibitor of polycyclic hydrocarbon-inducible cytochrome P-450 form(s), prior to exposure to the heterocyclic amines completely inhibited the mutagenic effect in the bacteria. In vivo administration of all the heterocyclic amines 4 hr prior to isolating the hepatocytes resulted in DNA damage, and this effect was augmented by TCDD pretreatment of mice. Our data suggest that agents modulating the activity and composition of the cytochrome P-450 system may greatly influence both toxicity and carcinogenicity of these heterocyclic amines.     

Human liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 enzymes involved in the bioactivation of procarcinogens detected by umu gene response in Salmonella typhimurium TA 1535/pSK1002

A total of 57 procarcinogens was examined for induction of umu gene response in the chimeric plasmid pSK1002, carried in Salmonella typhimurium TA 1535, after incubation with a series of human liver microsomal preparations which had been selected on the basis of characteristic levels of individual cytochrome P-450 (P-450) enzymes. The 18 most active compounds were selected and further analyzed using the umu gene response and correlative studies with a larger number of microsomal preparations, enzyme reconstitution studies involving purified enzymes, immunochemical inhibition, and patterns of stimulation and inhibition of catalytic activity by 7,8-benzoflavone. The results collectively indicate that 16 of these 18 most potent genotoxins examined are activated primarily either by P-450NF (the nifedipine oxidase) or P-450PA (the phenacetin O-deethylase). P-450NF appears to be the major enzyme involved in the bioactivation of aflatoxin B1, aflatoxin G1, sterigmatocystin, trans-7,8-dihydroxy-7,8-dihydrobenzo(a)pyrene, 6-aminochrysene, and tris-(2,3-dibromopropyl)phosphate in human liver. P-450PA appears to be the major enzyme involved in the bioactivation of 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline, 2-amino-3,5-dimethylimidazo[4, 5-f]quinoline, 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline, 2-aminoanthracene, 2-amino-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-a:3',2'-d]imidazole, 2-aminofluorene, 2-acetylaminofluorene, 4-aminobiphenyl, 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b] indole, and 2-aminodipyrido[1,2-a:3',2'-d]imidazole. More than one enzyme appears to contribute significantly to the bioactivation of the other two compounds examined, 3-amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b] indole and 6-nitrochrysene. The literature suggests that the two human liver P-450s involved in activation of these 16 procarcinogens are highly inducible by barbiturates, macrolide antibodies, and certain steroids (P-450NF) and by smoking and ingestion of charcoal-containing food (P-450PA); noninvasive assays are available to monitor the function of both P-450NF and P-450PA.     

DNA binding of N-hydroxy-Trp-P-2 and N-hydroxy-Glu-P-1 by acetyl-CoA dependent enzyme in mammalian liver cytosol

3-Hydroxyamino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4, 3-b]indole and 2-hydroxyamino-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-a:3', 2'-d]imidazole, active metabolites of protein pyrolysatecarcinogens, were further activated to DNA-binding species byan acetyl-CoA dependent enzyme in hepatic cytosol. This activitywas supported also by N-hydroxy-2-acetylaminofluorene insteadof acetyl-CoA, and it was inhibited by iodoacetamide and 3-amino-l-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2) but not by diethyl-p-nitrophenylphosphate.The activity was observed in the cytosols of rats, mice andrapid acetylator rabbits, which possessed N-acetylation activityof 2-aminofluorene and Trp-P-2. On the other hand, the activitycould not be detected in the cytosols of a dog and a slow acetylatorrabbit.     

Inductions of ornithine decarboxylase and DNA synthesis in rat stomach mucosa by glandular stomach carcinogens

The inductions of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and DNA synthesis in the pyloric mucosa of the stomach of male F344 rats after oral administrations of chemicals were studied. The glandular stomach carcinogens N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, N-ethyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, N-propyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide and N-nitroso-N-methylurethane induced up to 100-fold increase in ODC activity in the pyloric mucosa of the stomach; the activity was maximal 24 hr after administration and returned to the control level after 48 to 72 hr. These compounds also induced 14- to 30-fold increase in DNA synthesis in the pyloric mucosa of the stomach; synthesis was maximal 16 to 24 hr after administration and returned to the control level after 144 hr. The non-gastric carcinogens 2-acetylaminofluorene, dimethylnitrosamine and 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2) did not induce ODC or DNA synthesis in the pyloric mucosa of the stomach. Ethyl alcohol also did not induce ODC or DNA synthesis in the pyloric mucosa of the stomach. These results and previous findings that stomach-tumor promoters such as NaCl, taurocholate, glyoxal, K2S2O5 and formaldehyde induced ODC and DNA synthesis in the pyloric mucosa of the stomach of F344 rats suggest that the inductions of ODC and DNA synthesis in the glandular stomach mucosa are markers of promotive activities of complete carcinogens and tumor promoters in the glandular stomach.     

Prostaglandin hydroperoxidase-dependent activation of heterocyclic aromatic amines

Heterocyclic aromatic amines, derived from the pyrolysis of amino acids and proteins, are potent mutagens in the Ames Salmonella assay with rodent liver activation. Additionally, heterocyclic aromatic amines are multipotent carcinogens. We report evidence that these compounds are substrates for the hydroperoxidase activity of prostaglandin H synthase, as measured by alterations in UV/visible spectra, and are bioactivated to macromolecule-reactive species by this enzyme. Indirect electron paramagnetic resonance studies indicate that this activation may occur via a one-electron mechanism. 2-Amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5f]quinoline (IQ), 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (MeIQ), and 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2) are direct-acting mutagens in TA98. The mutagenicity of IQ and MeIQ, but not Trp-P-2, were enhanced by activation with ram seminal vesicle microsomes (a rich source of prostaglandin H synthase). Subsequent experiments utilized the newly constructed tester strain TA1538/1,8-DNP6 (pYG 121), which has enhanced arylamine N-acetyltransferase activity. In this strain IQ, MeIQ and 2-amino-6-methyldipyrido-[1,2-a:3',2'-d]imidazole (Glu-P-1) were mutagenic with ram seminal vesicle microsome activation. 3-Amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-1) was a weak direct-acting mutagen, and was not activated by the ram seminal vesicles (RSV) system. The responses of IQ and MeIQ were markedly enhanced in TA1538/1.8-DNP6 (pYG 121), relative to TA98. These data are consistent with the involvement of prostaglandin H synthase-catalyzed activation in heterocyclic aromatic amine-induced extrahepatic neoplasia.